I was saddened to see an article glorifying animal
trapping "Freddie Cox, Fur Trapper" published in the January 2, edition of
the Missourian.

In this article, Joan Elliott writes about only one side
of the dying fur trapping trade, that seen by Mr. Freddie Cox. Ms. Elliott
failed to mention the group that is most impacted by fur trapping: the
animals who are its victims. These unfortunate animals would tell a very
different story about trapping if they were able.

The most widely used device in the Missouri trappers'
basket is the steel jaw leghold trap. This trap is deemed inhumane by the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and has been banned in over
88 countries and several US states. Its' use has been known to cause broken
bones, torn tendons and skin lacerations in the animals unfortunate enough
to fall victim to its deadly steel jaws. Victims of these traps are not
limited to the species that the trapper is looking to kill.

Legally placed traps designed to attract other animals
have trapped companion dogs and cats, and endangered and threatened species.
Given the indiscriminate nature of trapping, there is not a trapper in the
world who can prevent such occurrences from happening.

Animals such as raccoons have been known to gnaw off their
feet to escape the clutches of these barbaric devices, often breaking off
their teeth as they bite at the steel jaws that hold with a vise-like grip.
The animals who do manage to gnaw off their feet and escape will often fall
victim to infections or predators who take advantage of their crippling
injuries.

If an animal is unable to free herself from the trap, she
is shot, bludgeoned or strangled to death by the trapper upon his return,
which may legally be several days later in certain states.

Another kind of trap commonly used by Missouri trappers is
the conibear - or "body crushing" trap. Many trappers believe that this type
of trap is humane because it supposedly kills an animal instantly upon being
trapped in its cold steel grip.

This, however, is not the case. An article in American
Trapper magazine - a trapping industry publication - describes how beavers
can be caught in the largest of these traps (a number 330) and still be
alive when released some time later. In cases of these traps being used to
kill beavers, the beaver is held underwater until she drowns. Beavers
commonly hold their breath for long periods of time in the course of their
day-to-day activities, so drowning them is a prolonged, terrifying process.

The AVMA has stated that drowning animals is not a humane
way to kill animals.

When examining what effects trapping has on its tiny
victims (muskrats killed in traps can weigh less than a pound) it is clear
that it is an inhumane, barbaric practice that has no place in a modern,
civilized society.

Trappers and game agencies present a sanitized view of
trapping to the public in order to profit from their gruesome trade.

Thankfully, the public largely does not believe their
propaganda, as evidenced by a reduction in the number of trappers nationwide
over the past twenty years.

In this New Year of 2004 let us strive toward a peaceful
world where we can live in harmony with the other animals we share our
planet with.

For more information on trapping or the fur industry in
general please contact the Wildlife Watch at 845-256-1400 or
http://wildwatch.org/. Together we can make the world a more peaceful, livable place for
all who call it home.